HOSPITAL ESTIMATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25514, 19 April 1944, Page 7

HOSPITAL ESTIMATES

APPROVED BY WAITAKI BOARD INCREASES IN LEVIES The capital and maintenance estimates for the financial year ending March 31, 1945, were confirmed at a special meeting of the Waitaki Hospital Board yesterday. The maintenance levies on contributing bodies were estimated at £11,737, compared with £10,920 last year, an increase of £Bl7, and the capital levy at £2645, compared with £2400 last year, an increase of £245, making the totals £14,382, £13,320, and £1062 respectively. The Department of Health advised that the amount to be added to arrive at the maintenance levy was £2236 17s, and in view of the fact that the aggregate levies exceeded the aggregate subsidies for the past financial year, the amount to be refunded by the public account was £337 18s 2d. The department concurred in the meantime with the board's estimates for proposed capital works. It was reported that on the income side the estimates included the February payment of hospital benefits under social security. thus increasing the actual revenue for last year, which, with the increase o£ occupied beds from 82 to 90, and a refund from the Otago Hospital Board of £456 in respect to the 3s per day paid from the Social Security Fund, accounted for the difference between the estimated and actual revenue. This year the estimate was based on 90 occupied beds. The estimated revenue from “ Glen Mavis ” for 11 months was based on the number of maternity cases for the previous year. Estimated receipts under rents and interest showed a decline on account of the invested loan money having been largely expended during the year. Last year's actual receipts included a refund from the Waipiata Sanatorium Committee by reason of the extra 3s per day paid. This would not recur.

On the expenditure side provisions for extra staff had been provided for, while the increase in patients had increased the actual expenditure. Reserve stocks had been reduced substantially, and increased prices were now paid for meat and fish. Expenditure on the surgery and dispensary had to be increased to meet the increased cost of indents and reserve stocks used. Under the heading of domestic, the actual expenditure was considerably in excess of the estimate, because the estimated saving in electricity did not ensue owing to the fact that steam heating was not available during the early days of Julv. which were ■ among the coldest experienced. The rising cost, of cotton goods also affected the actual expenditure. Provision also had to be made for additional uniform material for new staff, for renewals and alterations to the X-ra.v plant and iis transfer to the new block, and for increased employees’ insurance premium by reason of the increase in staff and wages; and also for increased salaries and wages under the new award for domestics and porters. Provision had also been made to the extent of £IOO for putting the hospital grounds, roadway, and paths in order, for work on the grounds, for increases in the nursing staff, and domestic wages and salaries at the Kurow Maternity Hospital, and for an increase in the number of inmates and partly-used reserve stocks, and increased salaries and wages at Victoria Home.